There are many books, both classic and modern, that every student should read. There are also far too many to ever read, but some are more important than others. So, I asked the Bookstr team about what books they thought should be read in school. Check out their responses below!
Insomniacs After School by Makoto Ojiro
Insomniacs is a slice-of-life romance about two teens who bond over their shared sleep disorder. The pair reinstates their school’s astronomy club, finally having something to fill up sleepless nights, and fall for each other in the process. I think this is a read high schoolers would connect with because it depicts real teenagers coping with personal trauma while navigating friendships, first love, and finding their passion.
Most of the series is episodic by nature of the slice-of-life genre and portrays everyday vignettes that aren’t sensationalized for the sake of the story. This, coupled with Makoto Ojiro’s naturalistic art, makes this manga a breath of fresh air worth reading in and out of the classroom.
Gabriela Collazo, Editorial
On Earth We’re Briefly Gorgeous by Ocean Vuong
On Earth We’re Briefly Gorgeous is a heartbreaking, semi-autobiographical novel inspired by Ocean Vuong’s experience as a queer, first-generation immigrant in the United States. As a fellow immigrant, this book made me tear up more than once due to its portrayal of generational trauma, mental health, and familial identity. I can confidently say that it is one of the best books I’ve ever read. I think all students would benefit from reading On Earth, particularly because of its intimate and lyrical approach to storytelling, but also because it would lead them to think outside of their own experiences in regard to the culture of the United States as a whole.
Anastasia Ledyaeva, Editorial
Echo by Pam Muñoz Ryan
This book is a bit thick, but the pacing is fast, and it’s hard to put down. Echo is told through three different perspectives that start out separate and come together at the end of the story. A harmonica finds its way to each of the three characters and gives them hope in their lives. This historical fiction masterfully weaves together the stories that seem separate at first into a single narrative by the last chapter.
Each of the three characters faces different challenges, showing their bravery and determination in a cruel world. They’re complex and relatable as they navigate their own struggles and overcome them. This book is important for required reading in and out of the classroom because of its powerful themes of hope and connection that will resonate with any student.
Molly Ireland, Outreach and Editorial
The Handmaid’s Tale by Margaret Atwood
For those who have only seen the show, the message behind why this should be required reading won’t be lost. The extreme religious views, rituals, and belief systems in The Handmaid’s Tale “justify” resegregation and dehumanization. Particularly for women. In the story, humans have become progressively sterile and children a rare commodity.
Of course, the blame is on the women. They’ve all abandoned the home, so God is punishing society by reducing fertility. To combat this, an extremist religious group called Gilead takes total control of America and reforms society. Women who have already borne children become maids to the elite and carry their offspring.
However, the maids cannot marry, and should they conceive, they cannot raise the children — that responsibility falls to the lady of the house (who is sterile and unable to bear her husband’s child to begin with). The system is obviously flawed, unfair, and favors the upper class. While this book was written in the 1990s, the parallels between the narrative and reality have come too close for comfort, making this a perfect selection for required reading!
Arianna Fuhrman, Editorial
The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time by Mark Haddon
When I was in high school, this was one of the books that I was required to read for one of my English classes. It was also one of the few required books that I actually enjoyed reading. I don’t even remember that much about the plot. I just remember thinking that the main character, Christopher, had a good sense of humor, and I would laugh at times while reading. It also provides insight into how some people experience and manage autism, which can help readers develop their empathy skills.
Skyler Rodriguez, Social Media
Go, Went, Gone by Jenny Erpenbeck
This was a book I ended up reading as part of a Worldview English Course in college, with a wacky professor who made me LOVE reading and this book, and its impact. Though this was technically required reading, it was still such a beautiful, extremely well-written story that had our class talking so much about big world topics like immigration, foreign policies, and social justice. This book was the kind of book you’d never consider picking up because it might be boring, but honestly, there was so much love, laughter, and heartbreak all in one place that it was so worth experiencing.
Kelly Severson Video / Graphics
House of Hollow by Krystal Sutherland
This book blurs the lines of horror and fantasy. It explores the darker sides of adolescence, identity, and the secrets we bury deep in our hearts. Sutherland’s writing is lyrical and chilling. I find it a must-read for students because it challenges them to confront the unknown, embrace their fears, and understand that not everything in life can be wrapped up in a pretty bow. Not everything can be explained or categorized, and that’s okay. This read got me through my mom’s passing and accepting that death is a part of life. We are all going to experience death at some point ourselves. This book is rich, thought-provoking, and it teaches students the complexities of living.
Freya, Social Media
1984 by George Orwell
This is required reading in some schools, but it should be required in all of them. I read this book in high school, and it’s stuck with me ever since. It’s a warning about fascist governments, with great social commentary, that, despite being published in 1949 and set in 1984, remains incredibly relevant today. It also details how easy it is for a government to slide into fascism, and how people may not even fully realize when it’s happening.
Danielle Tomlinson, Editorial
From modern to classics, these books are ones that we all should read — even those of us who aren’t in school anymore. With or without a curriculum, we should never stop learning.
Click here for an article on an updated required reading list, including modern classics.
Make sure to also check out our Bookstr Team Recs shelf on Bookstr’s Bookshop page.
